Description: The short-selling hedge fund manager continues to cast doubt on the Chinese economy and its reliance on construction. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/12/n_jim_chanos_china.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns expressed about the Chinese economy and the implications for global economic activity? How would you characterize the real estate industry in… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Currencies
Why Oil Could Top $100 a Barrel
Description:Â The weakening dollar could trigger a steady rise in the price of crude, sending it over $100 next year. Source:Â Businessweek.com Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204020339245.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key reasons given for the possible rise of oil prices next year? Do you agree with this assessment? What would this mean for investors?… Read more »
Fixing Washington’s balance sheet
Description: Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker discusses inflationary risks, taxes and balancing the budget. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 11/05/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/05/n_la_debt_taxes_fed_dollar.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the risks described by Walker? What is his fundamental recommendation to government and the Federal Reserve? What do you think will happen? Given these expectations, what… Read more »
Alcatel Lucent Sees ‘Turning Point’ After Deals in U.S. and China
Description: Alcatel Lucent, which has struggled in the wake of its 2006 merger, said Thursday that it had reached a “turning point†after clinching $5.7 billion in deals to build high-speed wireless networks and supply other gear for the biggest mobile operators in the United States and China. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 11/04/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/technology/05alcatel.html?src=me&ref=technology Questions… Read more »
Insider trading probe in Tokyo
Description: The Tokyo Stock Exchange launched an official examination after global complaints of widespread insider trading. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 10/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/10/29/n_lah_japan_insidertrade.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What is the essence of the claim that there was unfair trading involved? How would investors be expected to react while the claims are being investigated? What… Read more »
Buying Into Emerging-Markets Consumers
Description: Strong economic growth is bringing great wealth to developing countries and giving rise to a consumer class with a lengthy shopping list. Tom Sowanick, CIO at OmniVest Group, tells MarketWatch’s Jonanthan Burton about consumer-sector opportunities across Asia and Latin America. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/buying-into-emerging-markets-consumers/9975C8F8-C9B1-442B-845E-9D8725A6FC31 Questions for discussion: What does… Read more »
U.S. dollar falls vs yen; FX options flag QE worry
Description: Uncertainty over a fresh round of U.S. monetary easing weighed on the dollar on Friday, prompting investors in the options market to hedge against any volatility arising from the Federal Reserve decision. Source: Reuters.com  Date: 10/29/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69D46V20101029 Questions for discussion: What are the reasons reported for recent movements in these currencies? How… Read more »
After China’s Rare Earth Embargo, a New Calculus
Description: When Japanese mineral traders learned in late September that China was blocking shipments of a vital commodity, the word came not from a government announcement but from dock workers in Shanghai. Source:Â NYTimes.com Date: 10/29/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/business/global/30rare.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the actions by China? How do you think this… Read more »
Fed’s Bond Buying Won’t Help
Description: Whatever the Federal Reserve does to lower interest rates further won’t help the U.S. economy, according to First Pacific Advisors fund manager Tom Atteberry, who says that’ll just weaken the dollar and hurt savers. Deborah Levine reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 10/21/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/fed-bond-buying-wont-help/1ABF00C0-B59C-492E-A0B3-E66664FBBB7E Questions for discussion: Summarize the main comments made… Read more »
China prompts rare earth consumers to look elsewhere
Description: Japan and South Korea moved on Friday to reduce their dependence on China’s rare earth metals amid fears export reductions by Beijing could be the trigger for a broader trade conflict as nations joust over currencies. Source:Â Reuters.com Date: 10/22/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69L27D20101022 Questions for discussion: Summarize the activities reported and their significance for investors… Read more »
